The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
If you only want the FPS, temperature, or hardware readout gone, you do not need to uninstall RivaTuner Statistics Server. Open RTSS from the Windows notification area and switch Show On-Screen Display to Off. RTSS will remain available for features such as frame-rate limiting.
Choose the result you want
| Goal | Use this method | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Hide the overlay temporarily | RTSS: Show On-Screen Display → Off | The display disappears, but RTSS keeps running. |
| Remove only selected readings | MSI Afterburner: Settings → Monitoring | Other selected metrics can remain visible. |
| Toggle the display while gaming | Assign an Afterburner OSD hotkey | You can switch the overlay on and off without opening RTSS. |
| Stop RTSS now | Exit RTSS from the notification area | RTSS features, including configured frame limiting, stop. |
| Prevent it after Windows starts | Disable RTSS and Afterburner startup entries | You must launch the utilities manually later. |
| Remove the software | Uninstall RTSS | RTSS-dependent monitoring and features are removed. |
Turn off the RTSS overlay immediately
- Look near the Windows clock for the RivaTuner Statistics Server icon. If it is hidden, open the notification-area overflow.
- Double-click the icon, or right-click it and choose Show.
- Find the global Show On-Screen Display control and set it to Off. Wording and placement can vary between RTSS releases.
- Return to the game or 3D application. Close and relaunch it if the existing overlay does not disappear immediately.
RTSS can use both a global profile and application-specific profiles. If one game still shows the overlay, select that game’s executable in RTSS and inspect its OSD setting; a per-game profile may override the global choice.
Remove individual statistics with MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner commonly supplies the monitoring values while RTSS renders them in games. MSI documents this arrangement and the metric-selection controls in its Afterburner support guidance.
Recommended Free Tools
- Open MSI Afterburner and click the gear-shaped Settings button.
- Open the Monitoring tab.
- Select a metric such as GPU temperature, CPU usage, frametime, or FPS.
- Clear Show in On Screen Display (the label may use slightly different capitalization).
- Repeat for every value you do not want, then click Apply and OK.
- Restart the game if an already-running application still displays an old list.
This is the right approach when, for example, you want to keep FPS but remove temperatures. Turning off RTSS’s master OSD switch instead hides every RTSS-rendered metric.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
Create a keyboard shortcut
- In MSI Afterburner, open Settings.
- Select On-Screen Display.
- Click the field beside Toggle On-Screen Display, then press an unused key or key combination.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- With the settings window closed, press the shortcut in the game.
MSI’s walkthrough notes that global hotkeys work after the settings dialog is closed: MSI Afterburner on-screen-display guide. Avoid keys already used by the game, streaming software, accessibility features, or another overlay. A simple unused key such as Scroll Lock can be easier to test. A toggle hotkey changes state; it is not an unconditional “off” command.
Stop RTSS from running
Exit it for the current session
- Right-click the RTSS icon in the notification area.
- Choose Exit or the equivalent close command.
- Verify that the overlay disappears from active applications.
Exiting RTSS also stops functions you may have configured, including frame-rate limiting. RTSS is more than an OSD renderer; its capabilities include statistics display and frame limiting, as described by Guru3D’s RTSS overview.
Rank #2
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Integrated with 16GB GDDR7 256bit memory interface
- PCIe 5.0
- WINDFORCE cooling system
Prevent automatic startup
- Open Windows Settings → Apps → Startup.
- Turn off the entry for RivaTuner Statistics Server, if present.
- Check MSI Afterburner’s own Start with Windows option and disable it if you do not want Afterburner launching either.
- If neither entry is listed, inspect the Startup folder or a scheduled task that launches RTSS. Do not delete program files manually.
RTSS installations may use a Startup-folder shortcut and the executable name RTSSHost.exe; the exact location depends on the installation. Guru3D lists both C:Program FilesRivaTuner Statistics Server and C:Program Files (x86)RivaTuner Statistics Server as possible default folders.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesUninstall RivaTuner Statistics Server
- In current Windows, open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for RivaTuner Statistics Server, open its menu, and choose Uninstall.
- Complete the uninstall wizard and restart Windows if requested.
On older Windows versions, use Control Panel → Programs and Features. Uninstalling is normally unnecessary if you only want the numbers hidden. MSI states that RTSS is required for MSI Afterburner’s in-game hardware-monitoring display, so removing RTSS can disable that OSD and RTSS features such as frame limiting: MSI’s support documentation.
Rank #3
- AI Performance: 767 AI TOPS
- OC mode: 2632 MHz (OC mode)/ 2602 MHz (Default mode)
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- A 2.5-slot design maximizes compatibility and cooling efficiency for superior performance in small chassis
If the overlay will not disappear
Identify a second overlay provider
A similar readout may come from software other than RTSS. Check these one at a time:
- NVIDIA in-game overlay or AMD Software metrics overlay
- Xbox Game Bar, Steam, or Discord overlay
- HWiNFO, AIDA64, or a monitor manufacturer’s utility
- OBS or other capture software
If turning off RTSS makes no change, another provider is the likely source.
Rank #4
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
Review Afterburner metrics
If only some figures remain, return to MSI Afterburner → Settings → Monitoring and clear Show in On Screen Display for every unwanted entry. Apply the change and restart the game.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Inspect the game’s RTSS profile
Select the affected executable in RTSS rather than the global profile. Remove or reset a custom profile if it enables OSD output independently.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Intel Arc Graphics: Powered by Intel Arc A580 GPU with Intel Xe HPG microarchitecture, featuring 384 XMX engines for enhanced AI acceleration and content creation.
- High-Performance Memory: 8GB GDDR6 on a 256-bit interface running at 16 Gbps, delivering excellent bandwidth for 1440p gaming and creative workloads.
- Factory Overclocked: Engine clock set at 2000 MHz out of the box, providing optimized performance for smooth gameplay and multimedia tasks.
- Advanced Dual-Fan Cooling: Features a dual-fan design with striped axial fans and an ultra-fit heatpipe for efficient thermal management. 0dB Silent Cooling stops fans completely at low temperatures for silent operation.
- Durable Construction: Includes a stylish metal backplate for enhanced PCB rigidity and a premium aesthetic, backed by ASRock's Super Alloy components for long-term reliability.
Restart the applications
Exit both RTSS and MSI Afterburner, close the game completely, launch the utilities again, and retest. If an overlay remains injected into a running application, restart Windows before trying more invasive changes.
Check a desktop overlay
RTSS output is usually associated with a detected 3D application, but RTSS-related tools can also display information on the desktop. Guru3D forum documentation discusses a DesktopOverlayHost utility in the RTSS SDK: RTSS desktop-overlay discussion. Exit RTSS completely, check for a desktop-overlay tool or shell-related profile, and verify which startup application recreates the display after a reboot.
Keep Afterburner without the visible overlay
Yes. Leave MSI Afterburner installed for GPU controls and monitoring graphs, but turn off RTSS’s Show On-Screen Display option or clear the individual Show in On Screen Display selections. MSI Afterburner’s in-game hardware-monitoring OSD specifically depends on RTSS; other Afterburner functions do not necessarily require the overlay to be visible.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Download safely if you reinstall
Use MSI or Guru3D for MSI Afterburner downloads. MSI warns that modified installers and phishing sites exist: MSI’s OSD guide and download-safety warning. Menu labels can differ between builds, so identify controls by their function as well as their wording.
The Bottom Line
For a hidden display without losing RTSS, open its tray window and set Show On-Screen Display to Off. Use Afterburner’s Monitoring tab for individual metrics, exit RTSS to stop it temporarily, disable startup to prevent automatic launches, and uninstall only when you no longer need RTSS-dependent features.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
